Field Hockey: Defense rules as Rams shut out Ridgefield in FCIACs

Written by Dave Stewart
Saturday, 31 October 2009 01:48

Nearly two weeks ago at Dunning Field, the New Canaan High field hockey team played a strong game against rival Greenwich, only to surrender the game’s only goal and fall, 1-0. Now, the Rams have earned a rematch.

Senior co-captain Betsy Hart scored 10:32 into the game and the Ram defense delivered an outstanding performance as New Canaan defeated the Ridgefield Tigers, 1-0, in the first round of the FCIAC tournament Friday at Dunning Field.

The second-seeded Rams (13-2-1) will take on No. 2 Greenwich (11-3-0) in the semifinals at 5 p.m. Tuesday at Dunning Field. The second semifinal game at 7 p.m. will feature No. 1 Darien (14-0-0) against No. 4 Wilton (10-3-1).

New Canaan had beaten Ridgefield, 4-1, earlier this year, but the Tigers gave a much better showing on Friday, as they kept the game close and had several chances to tie the score in the final 10 minutes.

The Rams defense, led by senior co-captain Greer Stichnoth, goalie Amanda Milunovich (3 saves), Hart, Jasmine Allen and Shelby Barada, fended off each Tiger challenge, including a wild penalty corner with 30 seconds remaining. Ridgefield put one shot on goal during the flurry, with Mulunovich making the stop. The loose ball pinballed through the circle, before finally rolling out of bounds off a Ridgefield stick.

New Canaan’s offense wasn’t as crisp as usual, but did score an early goal. On a penalty corner, Caroline Falcone sent the ball to the top of the circle to Hart, who quickly passed it to Burke on the right side. Burke took a step forward before tipping the ball back to Hart, who fired a hard shot at the cage. The ball deflected off a defender’s stick and into the air, where another Tiger attempted to knock it away from the cage. The ball clipped the Ridgefield stick and went into the net for a 1-0 lead.

That was the only goal needed as the New Canaan defense was on top of its game and earned the shutout victory. The Rams outshot the Tigers, 9-3, and held a 10-4 advantage in penalty corners.